El Cosmico, Marfa’s campground desert retreat, is transforming and merging advanced technology with artistic vision. Liz Lambert, the founder of El Cosmico, has collaborated with ICON, a large-scale 3D printing, and an architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), to enhance the hotel and campsite across the Marfa desert.
This collaboration aims to create an entirely new model of luxury camping, staying true to El Cosmico’s ethos of off-grid, artistic living while integrating innovative construction techniques. The development signals a significant shift for El Cosmico, expanding it from its current 21-acre site filled with tents, yurts, teepees, and trailers.
According to an article published by Design Boom, the expansion, now under construction, leverages ICON’s 3D printing technology to build fluid, sculptural structures inspired by the desert’s cosmic and natural landscape. The project’s new design embraces organic forms—domes, arches, and parabolic shapes.
Lambert expressed excitement about working with ICON and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), stating, “Not only do I get to fulfill this dream, but we get to do it using this incredible 3D-printing technology that marries the oldest principles of raw earth-based building with futuristic innovation.”
The new development will also introduce a range of dwellings called “Sunday Homes,” designed by BIG, including two, three, and four-bedroom units. These homes will offer expansive views of the Davis Mountains and access to El Cosmico’s communal amenities. Available for sale, the residences are planned to range from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet, blending private living spaces with a sense of community.
The first model home is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with additional units to follow. Meanwhile, the original 21-acre campground will remain operational until 2025. The new development is projected for completion in 2026.
ICON’s robotic construction technology is central to realizing this new vision. The company’s CEO, Jason Ballard, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “Part of the reason we’ve worked so hard at ICON to create these technologies is to give high-vision people like Liz and Bjarke the ability to materialize their dreams in the real world.”